Albums

Kate Rusby and her band led by Damien O’Kane provided an evening of top entertainment at Oxford’s Playhouse Theatre – surreal, hypnotic and wondrous…they did not disappoint.

The Railsplitters are currently touring the UK, a tour which culminates in appearances at the Shetland Folk Festival. We caught up with them at a concert in Huddersfield where they impressed a sell-out audience.

Reflective but accessible, thoughtful yet soulful, Anian is an altogether stunning and engrossing album of depth and diversity which touches the listener’s head, heart and soul.

Teddy Thompson & Kelly Jones release an album of duets inspired by Sam Cooke, Buddy Holly and the Everlys – They’re not reinventing the wheel, but they are taking it for a hugely enjoyable new spin.

Matt Andersen’s latest offering serves up a healthy dose of country soul on which he balances political comment with personal confession. One that’s sure to bring a broader appeal.

Our favourite psych-folk outfit’s latest record ‘Wide Majestic Aire’, the followup to last year’s magnificent opus ‘The Sovereign Self’, takes the form of a subliminally exciting new seven-track mini-album that will not disappoint. Make sure you catch them on tour!

It is tempting to think that Behind The Glass is less of a leap into the unknown and more the natural high point of a set of musicians at the peak of their creative powers. It is their most accomplished work to date, and proof of the vital need for change and experimentation, in music as in life.

Ignite is an album that will lift spirits and give you a smile, even on the dullest of days, and leave you marvelling at the virtuosity of two astoundingly talented musicians.

Whilst the band’s name, and indeed the album title, are inspired by Plato’s Allegory you don’t need a degree in philosophy to recognise the substantial beauty at play here.

An interesting addition to the oeuvres of both Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and the Bitchin Bajas as their respective muses find common ground in this adventurous and intriguing release.

Excellent Day is one for those albums for late summer nights filled with the smell of woodsmoke, the taste of a good bourbon and the glow of fireflies. Seek it out.

The pan-continental beats and musical traditions are there in abundance and the host of new collaborators bring new life to the music. The Source is an energetic and captivating album….just like their live shows.